Opinion

Letters to the Editor

Black Forest fire evacuation zone expands

Black Forest residents Darrell and Jennifer Fortner embrace while hoping to be let into the mandatory evacuation zone where their home and many pets are, Tuesday, June 11, 2013, in Black Forest, Colo. (Timothy Hurst, Loveland Reporter-Herald)

The fire was first reported Monday about 1 p.m. The evacuation area impacts some 9,500 people, 3,400 residences and 150 businesses, Sheriff Terry Maketa said Wednesday. The sheriff's office has said that at least 92 homes have been destroyed, although that number is expected to grow. The same is true the reported 8,500-acre burn area: Maketa said he anticipates that will be in the 11,000- to 12,000-acre range.

The evacuation area extends from Black Forest north into Elbert County. Some areas of Colorado Springs to the south are under a pre-evacuation notice.

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Palmer Ridge High School has been designated an evacuation center; New Life Church, which was an evacuation center, is no longer being used because of heavy smoke. Large animals are being accepted at the El Paso County Fairgrounds, Elbert County Fairgrounds and Adams County Fairgrounds.

The entire fire zone is within a red flag fire warning area posted Thursday by the National Weather Service.

The weather service warning, which starts at 11 a.m. and runs through 7 p.m., is prompted by gusty winds, low humidity, and dry fuels.

Winds this afternoon are expected to gust up to 35 mph and humidity levels will struggle to get out of single digits. Isolated thunderstorms with lightning are expected early Thursday afternoon, the weather service reports.

Firefighters may have to deal with extreme fire behavior Thursday, the weather service warns.

The weather forecast Thursday for the Black Forest area includes a 10 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after 1 p.m., with a high temperature of 83 degrees.